Call to ban dumping of mine waste into oceans, rivers and lakes

Clean water and healthy aquatic ecosystems are essential to everyone, and central to the cultural and spiritual practice of indigenous peoples around the world.

Each year, mining companies dump over 220 million tonnes of tailings, or hazardous mine waste directly into oceans, rivers and lakes – putting communities, fisheries and ecosystems at risk. This practice has repeatedly proven to devastate the environment, and the people that depend on it for food, clean water and livelihoods.

People around the world are suffering the harmful, and often irreparable consequences of aqueous tailings dumping. Although this dirty and unnecessary practice has been phased out in many parts of the world, mining companies still use it, governments still allow it, and some of the world’s largest banks and investment firms still finance it.

Risking communities and ecosystems with toxic mine waste dumping is unnecessary. Any mine that cannot responsibly dispose of its waste should not be built in the first place.

We support a global ban on the dumping of mine waste into oceans, rivers and lakes. We oppose the financing of any mining project that would use this environmentally harmful practice.